|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The new re-release (well, it was new to me) of the film, includes a CD of the songs from the film, along with the DVD (too bad it's just the songs). Never being one of my favorite films (although I like it well enough), I'm not overly familiar with it (preferring the Broadway cast album). Anyway, I am quite impressed with Green's arrangements and orchestrations. One could argue that they are over-arranged and over-orchestrated (and I was most likely one of them in 1968); and, while I still find the overall impression to be lacking that of the Broadway show, it is still a very good listen. Thoughts?
|
|
|
|
|
I remember Lionel Bart in a PBS documentary from some time ago commenting that he went to see the "Oliver!" movie and was dismayed that his simple, heartfelt "Who Will Buy?" wound up looking like a huge production number out of "Easter Parade." Sure it's overarranged, but nobody did it better than Johnny Green. Here's hoping those original recording session masters magically turn up somehow, like "The Time Machine" did. We had a thread on this about a month ago, by the way: http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/board/posts.asp?threadID=29812&forumID=1
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for the response! I'm not here as frequently as I used to be.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: |
Oct 27, 2005 - 3:52 AM
|
|
|
By: |
manderley
(Member)
|
The "Broadway sound" is not the "Hollywood sound", and vice versa. But there has always been a "friendly" critical rivalry between the two camps. It's possible that Broadway has always felt a little insecure by the numbers of musical behind-the-scenes talents who gravitated to Hollywood in the early '30s, from Green, Steiner, Stothart, Newman, Salinger, Edward Powell, etc. to Gershwin, Kern, Wright-Forrest, Berlin, Porter, etc. In the end, though, it may come down to the idea that Hollywood needed a big sound---provided by a big orchestra, and could afford it, and Broadway needed a big sound, and couldn't.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PHEW!!! I can just imagine your horror, Howard, when you saw a thread with my name on it!
|
|
|
|
|
I remember Lionel Bart in a PBS documentary from some time ago commenting that he went to see the "Oliver!" movie and was dismayed that his simple, heartfelt "Who Will Buy?" wound up looking like a huge production number out of "Easter Parade." My wife and I said we'd have to move from that neighborhood, while we were watching that number!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I assume this is now common knowledge -- presumably included on the DVD -- but a number of years ago I attended a special Academy screening of OLIVER! at which John Green revealed that the title character's vocals were sung by his chanteuse daughter Kathie.
|
|
|
|
|
I think Johnny Green did a fabulous job on the soundtrack of "Oliver!". I attended the first public performance at the Odeon, Leicester Square, the day after the movie's World Premiere; and I remember being knocked out by the amazing sound, as the Overture burst forth over the Main Titles. It's one of the best things he ever did, and the arrangement of "As Long as He Needs Me" is absolutely exquisite. Starting very simply, and building to a thrilling climax, aided,of course,by a stirling performance from Shani Wallis. "Please Sir! - I want some MORE.....of the Soundtrack !!" I agree with you 100%. The original cast album is nice, but nowhere NEAR as wonderful, to me, as the OST. (I'm totally NOT one who slavers over original Broadway cast recordings as the only way the score should be presented. The movie is always different.) Green was equally brilliant with "West Side Story" and opened up that stage-bound score with absolute genius.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What's the best option (most complete and sound quality) for this title? Is the 1980s master the only one existing or has this ever been updated?
|
|
|
|
|
'Oliver!' is by far my favourite musical and Green's score is superb. A high spot for me is his arrangement of the music for Sikes' song in the stage show (which I think is brash and out of character) into a menacing theme for Sikes reflecting his evil nature. Green's use of 'Where is Love?' and Sikes' theme for the pursuit sequence near the end of the film is brilliant. The nearest thing to a complete soundtrack I have been able to create is from the isolated score and effects track on the Twilight blu-ray. It's not ideal but as I believe the music stems are lost it's the best that can be done.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Many thanks for your input. I've now managed to order a copy of the above-mentioned CD/DVD combi. I suppose the CD is just the same master as the 1980s version.
|
|
|
|
|
I remember Lionel Bart in a PBS documentary from some time ago commenting that he went to see the "Oliver!" movie and was dismayed that his simple, heartfelt "Who Will Buy?" wound up looking like a huge production number out of "Easter Parade." My wife and I said we'd have to move from that neighborhood, while we were watching that number! I have to admit that the comely milkmaids singing seductively under my window every morning would be a plus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|